Watch for goatheads

Riding a bicycle is my main mode of transportation. I was downtown recently and discovered many goathead vines in the parking lot kitty-corner to the Good Earth Market.

I returned next day with gloves, a trowel and garbage bag ready to do damage to this infestation of thorns. I dug up as many of these weeds as I could but could not get them all due to the gravel and rocks where they are growing.

I called the city’s Code Enforcement/Weed Control to report the problem. I received the following message: “Weeds that grow along the ground, even those with thorns, do not come under code enforcement jurisdiction. Weeds have to be taller than 12 inches to receive a warning.”

If you have tried to dig up goatheads and police your area for these pesky invaders, you know the issue of what I speak. They are drought resistant and a very aggressive weed. The thorns stick to the bottom of your shoes and reseed themselves. They are exceedingly painful if they puncture your skin. For a bicycle tire they are fatal. If goatheads are prevalent, a cyclist needs to ride in the street where cars drive. Car tires wear out the thorns.

I am asking the city to include goatheads as a problem weed. As citizens of Billings we need to be especially ardent and dig up any that we see. Also we request businesses to be vigilant in caring for their property so that goatheads do not grow there.

Audrey Wagner

Billings

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 August 2013 10:53

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Some killings ignored

Over the last months there has been much media coverage and demonstrations and rage over the T. Martin vs. Zimmerman case. It was a tragic event for all and perhaps if a federal or wrongful death suit results the whole truth may come out.

I was wondering, however, where the outrage and demonstrations and media coverage are for a mother and her young son who were shot and murdered over a purse. The baby was in his stroller and was shot in the face. His killers were two black teenage boys. There was no threat to these killers; they just wanted to kill these two “white” people. They could have gotten the purse by force, but chose to kill.

I was also wondering where the outrage and demonstrations and media coverage are for two teenage girls and their mother who were raped by two adult black men? The father was beaten senseless.

Why is it that when a black kid is shot by a white man it generates months and months of media outrage, demonstrations and sobbing interviews on daytime television? When a black is the perpetrator there is not much said.

Could it be that the media and the black populace are single minded and biased? The life of that mother and baby are as precious as anyone, but they are not afforded the same publicity. I think it outrageous and prejudicial and it smells. Mr. Holder and Obama have not mentioned these two cases either.

Sometimes stand your ground works and sometimes it is abused. We all have the inalienable right to protect ourselves and our family and goods.

Clawson missed calling

What are the chances Billings could crack the top five of Kiplinger’s “Top Places to Live” if naysayers like [Roger] Clawson were to shut their pie holes and use that energy to move elsewhere? He is constantly referring to Billings as the “tragic city.” He missed his calling; he should be a motivational speaker for potential suicide bombers.

Randolph Holt

Billings

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 August 2013 16:51

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Support poultry bill

With all the divisive battles and partisan bickering in Washington, here is something positive that all the major stakeholders agree on: S. 820 will improve the treatment of egg-laying hens, and provide a stable and secure future for egg farmers. That’s why the bill is supported by animal welfare groups, the egg industry, veterinarians, and consumers.

Most egg-laying hens are currently crammed into such small cages that they can barely move an inch for their entire lives. This legislation will require larger enriched colony cages which provide each hen with about twice as much space, as well as nesting areas, perches and scratch pads so they can engage in more natural behaviors. It will also ban inhumane practices such as forced starvation molting, and require labels on egg cartons so consumers have more information about the conditions in which hens were raised.

Egg producers would have an ample phase-in period to transition to new housing systems, much of which can be done in the normal process of replacing aged equipment, and they would have a single national standard and a level playing field rather than the current patchwork of conflicting state laws.

And consumers will barely notice the difference in egg prices, since a recent economic study found that the changes would result in less than 2 cents more per dozen eggs, and only years into the future, much less than the normal fluctuations in the egg market due to energy, feed, and other costs.

This legislation is a win-win for all parties involved, and you don’t see that very often in Washington. Sen. Max Baucus serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and he should support this bill, which is good for the egg industry, good for the economy, good for jobs and good for animals.

Jennifer Gross

Billings

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 August 2013 16:50

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What’s most important

“A Course in Miracles” says that an honest question is a learning tool that asks for something that we don’t know.

Therefore, to every man woman on this planet, I ask this question: “What is the reason for the media not informing the world about the most important event in the history of humanity — the coming of Maitreya, the World Teacher and Master of Wisdom?”

See www.share-international.org and let the dialogue begin. Thank you very much.